Pope Benedict’s Discourse to Brazilian Bishops at the Ad Limina Visit

(December 05, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI praised the role of the Catholic Church in Brazil for its dedicated work in instilling Christian Humanism in the current culture. The two classic places where this humanism is formed and informed are the university and the school, the Pope affirmed. In fact the Christian view that the school is" Catholic, "since in it the Gospel principles become educational standards, inner motivations and ultimate goals, he said. The Pontiff was addressing the Bishops of the Southern Region 3 and 4 of Brazil, at the Vatican on Saturday, 5^th of December during their Ad Limina visit. Ad Limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops of visiting the tombs of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of meeting the Pope to report on the state of their dioceses. The Holy Father said further that the Catholic school can not exist separated from other educational institutions. The church is at the service of society and has a duty to provide public service, public utility, not reserved only for Catholics but open to all who want to enjoy a qualified educational program. Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Pope said "Parents have a right of priority to choose the kind of education to be taught to their children." At the same time, the Church has always been sympathetic to the university and its role to lead man to the highest levels of knowledge of truth in the world in all its aspects. Pope Benedict expressed his deep gratitude to the various church congregations that exist among them who have founded and supported renowned universities, but reminded them, that these are not a property of the individuals, but expression of the Church and of their heritage of faith.